Positive Emotions

All of these can be practiced through daily acts, developed over time leading to a more consistent and sustained sense of well-being.

In addition to developing positive emotions, engage in activities that elicit the responses.

Another factors to consider is to smile more, walk in nature, keep a gratitude journal, love others, watch comedy, read inspiring stories, surround yourself with positive people who you aspire to be more like.

Make time for loved ones, show people you care by thanking them and make this part of what you do, your first thought not an afterthought. This isn’t easy but through purposeful daily practice it gets easier.

Experience the out doors, look in wonder at the beauty that is around us.

Start each day with three things you are grateful for.

Force the smile until you feel it…what came first the chicken or the egg?

Jar of awesome – add any events that bought you joy.

Make time to love, partner, friends or family.

Engagement

Engagement in your job, your family, your life. Actively carrying out activities where time stands still for you, some call this flow, others the zone but here you fully engaged, engrossed in what you do. Mindfulness and time awareness are both areas that can be worked through.

Where is your head at? Thinking about the last meeting and how you ‘should have’, ‘could have’ or ‘would have’ done something different?

Or perhaps the event that’s coming up next week that you ‘need to’ impress at? Either way, you can not control either right now, bring your head back to now..its the only time you have.

You will naturally drift again, that’s okay, recognize then come back to now, it’s the only time you have.

Deal with it or drop it – you only have now.

The past no longer exists, the future is not here – deal with now.

Meaning

Meaning, knowing what your strengths are and using them towards something bigger than you. Do things that benefit the greater good and move outside your own concerns

Having a purpose or meaning can be difficult to find, but do start. What do you enjoy, what do you find of interest?

These two questions are a nice starting point, from here persevere, try things out for a fixed period of time and allow things to develop.

Find what you enjoy and work towards it – the Life Wheel is a useful tool

A little effort is required when finding your purpose.

If you can muster all three; positive emotions, engagement and meaning, pleasure can be found in abundance.

I’m not against the ‘Happy life’ but hedonism at all costs is not sustainable, “we” as a society can not continuously get our next kick without stepping on each other’s toes or plundering resources, perhaps settling for a pleasant life is good enough?

See Seligmans entire TED talk.

Chris

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Habitual has been created to help you achieve personal health goals without turning your life upside down. We don’t offer short term quick fixes, as they simply do not work, instead we deal in long lasting Habit development building upon existing schedules and routines.